Elections in Goiás normally occur with queues and arrests for sexual harassment and contempt

Carmo do Rio Verde Police Station: this Sunday, a person was arrested for sexual harassment — Photo: Personal archive

The elections in Goiás take place normally this Sunday (4), but with queues at some polling places, according to the president of the Regional Electoral Court of Goiás (TRE-GO), judge Elizabeth Maria da Silva. By the afternoon, around 3pm, two people had been arrested and there were more than 20 records of electoral crimes.

The arrests, according to Elizabeth Maria, refer to a case of sexual harassment, in Carmo do Rio Verde; and one for contempt, in Campos Belos.

In relation to electoral crimes, 23 Detailed Terms of Occurrence (TCOs) were drawn up by police stations. In total, across the state, five exit cases have been recorded so far.

At the press conference, the president of TRE-GO also gave a partial assessment in relation to electronic voting machines. By that time, 35 pieces of equipment had been replaced across the state after presenting various problems. However, there was no impact on the votes, according to Elizabeth Maria.

Regarding the queues, the judge stated that they have occurred without reports of arguments or fights.

"Voters from Goiás understand that queues will often occur. There are six votes that each voter needs to type into the ballot box. This takes time, due to the difficulty of understanding all the handling of the electronic ballot box", explained the president of the TRE.

All polling stations will be open until 5pm this Sunday. Elizabeth Maria guaranteed that anyone who arrives at the locations by this time will be able to vote. "Whoever is in line will receive a password and continue the voting process normally", he detailed.